TinkerLab is a blog founded by Rachelle Doorley as a source of inspiration for parents, teachers, and caregivers in search of creative activities for children. The site has since grown into a creative hub that celebrates child-directed projects, art-making prompts, and creative inspiration that values hands-on making and occasional rule-breaking.

What is TinkerLab?

TinkerLab describes both the physical space of the art studio/science lab where a family or class builds, paints, experiments, and tinkers. It’s also the experimental state of mind that goes into the things happen in this space. To read more about tinkering click here.

If you don’t already have a designated Tinkerlab, or space for creating, it’s easy to get started. Your space doesn’t have to be fancy, and it can be set up in a playroom as easily as at the dining table. In my tiny house, we converted our living room space into a maker space, and it really serves us well.

By making “creating” a fixture in your home, you’ll give your child permission to invent on a whim and honor the makers inside of everyone in your home.